Dr. Gay Toltl Kinman Named a "Woman of the Year" in the 29th Congressional District
California Desk
April 15, 2010
Washington, D.C. – At a reception in Pasadena, Representative Adam Schiff honored Dr. Gay Toltl Kinman for her commitment and service to Alhambra by naming her a "Woman of the Year."
"Volunteering her time and talent in ever increasing abundance, Gay´s work continues to benefit the entire Alhambra community," said Schiff. "She shows great care and dedication in all her efforts and we are grateful for the tremendous difference she has made in the life of our community."
Gay has been active with both the City of Alhambra and the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce. As vice president of the Housing and Urban Development Committee for the City of Alhambra, Gay assisted the Alhambra Historical Society in obtaining a grant for the Alhambra Historical Society Museum. Gay also served as president of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Alhambra. While a member of the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce, Gay formed the planning committee for the Chinese New Year Festival Parade, which still takes place today, and then was chair of the parade. Gay also served as Chair of Transportation on the Government Affairs Committee for the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce.
Gay has been involved with Soroptimist International (SI) of Alhambra, San Gabriel, and San Marino. As president of the chapter, Gay helped bring in a record of nine new members, established the Friendship Link exchange where members of SI Burnley, England visited, helped establish the link between Alhambra Curves and La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center, and was the chair of various committees. She also founded the Soroptimist Camino Real Region´s Friendship Grant Committee, which provides hospitality and professional education every two years for a Soroptimist from another part of the world. Currently, she is the Alhambra, San Gabriel, and San Marino chapter´s co-vice president of programs, chair of the Woman of Distinction Award Committee, and co-chair of Reading is Fundamental, which buys books for third graders in the Alhambra and San Gabriel School Districts.
In addition to Soroptimists, Gay has given her time to various organizations throughout Alhambra. For the Alhambra Historical Society, she has served as president and publicity chair. As a board member for the Alhambra Educational Foundation, she started the Authors Festival, which brings over eighty children's authors, storytellers, and illustrators to the Alhambra Unified School District. As chair of the Alhambra Red Cross Council, she helped restore the presence of the Red Cross in Alhambra and taught volunteer training classes. She has been secretary for the Alhambra Toastmasters, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and is currently head usher at Alhambra´s All Souls Church. In addition, she helped design Alhambra´s float for the Tournament of Roses Parade.
On top of all this, Gay has been active outside of Alhambra with the YMCA West San Gabriel Valley, the Special Libraries Association of Southern California, the Los Angeles County Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages, the League of Women Voters Greater Pasadena Area, and the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Every March, during Women´s History Month, Rep. Schiff honors one outstanding woman from each of the communities in the 29th Congressional District. These women come from all walks of life and represent the thousands of women who make a positive impact in our region. While there are no specific criteria for nomination, Rep. Schiff looks for women who — through their work or volunteerism — have improved the quality of life for our community.
This year, Congressman Schiff´s Women of the Year luncheon was unique because he invited the Women Air Service Pilots (WASPs) who lived in his district. These women, who served in World War II as pilots without recognition at the time, were recently honored with Congressional Gold Medals in Washington DC. The WASPs in attendance at Congressman Schiff´s luncheon were Eileen Ferguson of Pasadena, Alyce Rohrer of Pasadena, and Eleanor Gunderson of Burbank. Each of the women shared stories about their time as a pilot, including the difficulties they faced and reactions they received from their families and from other pilots. The Women of the Year truly enjoyed the presence of these three heroic WASPs. Congressman Schiff presented each of the WASPs a flag that was flown over the Capitol for their service to the country. A flag will be sent to the other WASPs in the Congressman´s district, Geraldine Olinger of Glendale, Margaret Weiss of Pasadena, and Lillian Wray of Burbank, who were not able to attend the luncheon.
Rep. Schiff represents California´s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.
"Volunteering her time and talent in ever increasing abundance, Gay´s work continues to benefit the entire Alhambra community," said Schiff. "She shows great care and dedication in all her efforts and we are grateful for the tremendous difference she has made in the life of our community."
Gay has been active with both the City of Alhambra and the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce. As vice president of the Housing and Urban Development Committee for the City of Alhambra, Gay assisted the Alhambra Historical Society in obtaining a grant for the Alhambra Historical Society Museum. Gay also served as president of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Alhambra. While a member of the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce, Gay formed the planning committee for the Chinese New Year Festival Parade, which still takes place today, and then was chair of the parade. Gay also served as Chair of Transportation on the Government Affairs Committee for the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce.
Gay has been involved with Soroptimist International (SI) of Alhambra, San Gabriel, and San Marino. As president of the chapter, Gay helped bring in a record of nine new members, established the Friendship Link exchange where members of SI Burnley, England visited, helped establish the link between Alhambra Curves and La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center, and was the chair of various committees. She also founded the Soroptimist Camino Real Region´s Friendship Grant Committee, which provides hospitality and professional education every two years for a Soroptimist from another part of the world. Currently, she is the Alhambra, San Gabriel, and San Marino chapter´s co-vice president of programs, chair of the Woman of Distinction Award Committee, and co-chair of Reading is Fundamental, which buys books for third graders in the Alhambra and San Gabriel School Districts.
In addition to Soroptimists, Gay has given her time to various organizations throughout Alhambra. For the Alhambra Historical Society, she has served as president and publicity chair. As a board member for the Alhambra Educational Foundation, she started the Authors Festival, which brings over eighty children's authors, storytellers, and illustrators to the Alhambra Unified School District. As chair of the Alhambra Red Cross Council, she helped restore the presence of the Red Cross in Alhambra and taught volunteer training classes. She has been secretary for the Alhambra Toastmasters, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and is currently head usher at Alhambra´s All Souls Church. In addition, she helped design Alhambra´s float for the Tournament of Roses Parade.
On top of all this, Gay has been active outside of Alhambra with the YMCA West San Gabriel Valley, the Special Libraries Association of Southern California, the Los Angeles County Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages, the League of Women Voters Greater Pasadena Area, and the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Every March, during Women´s History Month, Rep. Schiff honors one outstanding woman from each of the communities in the 29th Congressional District. These women come from all walks of life and represent the thousands of women who make a positive impact in our region. While there are no specific criteria for nomination, Rep. Schiff looks for women who — through their work or volunteerism — have improved the quality of life for our community.
This year, Congressman Schiff´s Women of the Year luncheon was unique because he invited the Women Air Service Pilots (WASPs) who lived in his district. These women, who served in World War II as pilots without recognition at the time, were recently honored with Congressional Gold Medals in Washington DC. The WASPs in attendance at Congressman Schiff´s luncheon were Eileen Ferguson of Pasadena, Alyce Rohrer of Pasadena, and Eleanor Gunderson of Burbank. Each of the women shared stories about their time as a pilot, including the difficulties they faced and reactions they received from their families and from other pilots. The Women of the Year truly enjoyed the presence of these three heroic WASPs. Congressman Schiff presented each of the WASPs a flag that was flown over the Capitol for their service to the country. A flag will be sent to the other WASPs in the Congressman´s district, Geraldine Olinger of Glendale, Margaret Weiss of Pasadena, and Lillian Wray of Burbank, who were not able to attend the luncheon.
Rep. Schiff represents California´s 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.
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